HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS AND HYPOXIA IN THE GREAT LAKES RESEARCH PLAN AND ACTION STRATEGY: AN INTERAGENCY REPORT PRODUCT OF THE National Science and Technology Council August 2017 About the National Science and Technology Council The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) is the principal means by which the Executive Branch coordinates science and technology policy across the diverse entities that make up the Federal research and development (R&D) enterprise. One of the NSTC’s primary objectives is establishing clear national goals for Federal science and technology investments. The NSTC prepares R&D packages aimed at accomplishing multiple national goals. The NSTC’s work is organized under five committees: Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability; Homeland and National Security; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education; Science; and Technology. Each of these committees oversees subcommittees and working groups that are focused on different aspects of science and technology. More information is available at www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/nstc. About the Office of Science and Technology Policy The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) was established by the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976. OSTP’s responsibilities include advising the President in policy formulation and budget development on questions in which science and technology are important elements; articulating the President’s science and technology policy and programs; and fostering strong partnerships among Federal, State, and local governments, and the scientific communities in industry and academia. The Director of OSTP also serves as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and manages the NSTC. More information is available at www.whitehouse.gov/ostp. About the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology The purpose of the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) is to advise and assist on national issues of ocean science and technology. The SOST contributes to the goals for Federal ocean science and technology, including developing coordinated interagency strategies, and fosters national ocean science and technology priorities, including implementation of the National Ocean Policy. About the Interagency Working Group on Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act In recognition of the challenges presented by harmful algal blooms (HAB) and hypoxia, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014 (HABHRCA 2014, P.L. 113-124) emphasizes the mandate to advance the scientific understanding and ability to detect, predict, control, mitigate, and respond to these types of events. This legislation called for the establishment of the Interagency Working Group on HABHRCA (IWG-HABHRCA). It tasked the group with coordinating and convening Federal agencies to discuss HAB and hypoxia events in the United States, and to develop action plans, reports, and assessments of these situations. About this Document The IWG-HABHRCA developed this document, and it was published by OSTP. The report is intended to promote greater investment and coordination of United States government resources to address HABs and hypoxia, but it is not a budget document and does not imply approval for any specific action under Executive Order 12866 or the Paperwork Reduction Act. The report will inform the Federal budget and regulatory development processes within the context of the goals articulated in the President’s Budget. All activities included in the National Strategy are subject to budgetary constraints and other approvals, including the weighing of priorities and available resources by the Administration in formulating its annual budget and by Congress in legislating appropriations. iv Acknowledgements The IWG-HABHRCA thanks Deborah Lee, Leslie Irwin, Ariana Sutton-Grier, and Kaye Lafond of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for their help with editing and designing this report. Special thanks and acknowledgment to the following subject-matter experts who contributed significantly to the writing of this report: • Chris Loeffler, Food and Drug Administration; • Laura Lorenzoni, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; • Suzanne Bricker, Quay Dortch, Alan Lewitus, Wayne Litaker, Rob Magnien, John Ramsdell, Trevor Meckley, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; • Tracy Ziegler, National Park Service; and • Patrick Deliman, United States Army Corps of Engineers. Copyright Information This document is a work of the United States Government and is in the public domain (see 17 U.S.C. §105). Subject to the stipulations below, it may be distributed and copied with acknowledgement to OSTP. Copyrights to graphics included in this document are reserved by the original copyright holders or their assignees and are used here under the government’s license and by permission. Requests to use any images must be made to the provider identified in the image credits or to OSTP if no provider is identified. Printed in the United States of America, 2017. v National Science and Technology Council Chair Staff Ted Wackler Vacant Acting Director Executive Director Office of Science and Technology Policy Office of Science and Technology Policy Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability Co-Chairs Staff Deerin Babb-Brott Lisa Matthews Acting Principal Assistant Director for Environment and Executive Secretary Energy Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science and Technology Policy Tom Burke Science Advisor Environmental Protection Agency Benjamin Friedman Acting Undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Deputy Under Secretary for Operations Department of Commerce Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology Co-Chairs Staff Jennifer Lee Jessica McGrath Office of Science and Technology Policy National Science Foundation Cisco Werner Jeanette Davis National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Richard W. Murray National Science Foundation vi Interagency Working Group on HABHRCA Co-Chairs Staff Steven Thur Caitlin Gould National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Elizabeth Southerland Linda Novitski Environmental Protection Agency Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research Great Lakes Leadership Deborah Lee National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Subgroup Leads/IWG-HABHRCA Representatives Lesley D’Anglada (Harmful Algal Blooms) Stacey DeGrasse (Engagement) Environmental Protection Agency Food and Drug Administration Timothy Davis (Great Lakes) Rachel Melnick (Hypoxia) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Institute of Food and Agriculture Great Lakes Subgroup Eric Anderson Lisa Duriancik National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Natural Resources Conservation Service Mary Anne Evans Lisa Fogarty United States Geological Survey United States Geological Survey Tony Friona Norman Grannemann United States Army Corps of Engineers United States Geological Survey Elizabeth Hinchey Malloy Mari-Vaughn Johnson Environmental Protection Agency Natural Resources Conservation Service Kevin King Russell Kreis Agricultural Research Service Environmental Protection Agency Joe Makuch Todd Nettesheim Agricultural Research Service Environmental Protection Agency Elizabeth Rohring John Rothlisberger National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration United States Forest Service Steve Ruberg National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vii IWG-HABHRCA Representatives Lorraine Backer Paula Bontempi Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Aeronautics and Science Administration Tony Clyde Megan Butterworth Davidson United States Army Corps of Engineers Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Erich Emery Wayne Estabrooks United States Army Corps of Engineers United States Navy Dave Garrison Sara Handy National Science Foundation Food and Drug Administration John Haynes Donna Myers National Aeronautics and Space Administration United States Geological Survey Teri Rowles Fred Tyson National Oceanic and Atmospheric National Institute of Environmental Health Administration Sciences viii Table of Contents Executive Summary…………………………..........................................................................................................1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2 1. Revealing the Problem: Understanding HABs, Hypoxia, and Nutrient Sources in the Great Lakes……...8 2. Managing HABs and Hypoxia: What are the Options?..........................................................................26 3. Research Recommendations and Action Strategy Opportunities…………………….………………………………...44 4. Conclusion………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………..51 Appendix 1 – Great Lakes HABs, Toxins, and Bioactive Compounds and their Effects…………………………….52 Appendix 2 – Great Lakes HAB-Related Human Illnesses………………………………………………………………………..53 Appendix 3 – HABHRCA Federal Agency HABs and Hypoxia Program Activities……………………………………..54 Appendix 4 – Great Lakes HABs and Hypoxia Toolkit……………………………………………………………………………..78 References…………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………….…………………..82 Acronyms…….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...101 Glossary…………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………103 ix Executive Summary This report provides a research plan and action strategy for addressing